Depository



DEPOSITORY Filed March 10, 1966 ATTORA/EYS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 23, 1968 e. A. MILLER ET AL 3,36

DEPOSITORY Filed March 10, 1966 2 Shets-Sheet 2 nave/woes fl o gge Q Q/Zdfv/ gzziav/e gmi w/to plym ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,365,067 DEPOSITORY George A. Miller, 407 W. Indiana, and Cesare Gianturco, 101 W. Meadows, both of Urbana, 111. 61801 Filed Mar. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 533,302 3 Claims. (Cl. 211-45) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A depository for the storing of developed X-ray films made up of a plurality of spaced horizontal shelf members having disposed therebetween a plurality of arcuate dividers so that when an X-ray film is inserted between any two dividers, the X-ray film will assume the arcuate shape of the dividers and will not buckle or be otherwise mutilated in storage.

This invention relates to a depository, and more specifically to a depository for looseleaf-type papers.

The term depository used herein and in the appended claims is intended to include filing shelves, cabinet, case, cupboard, bin, storage bin, crib, and the like which defines a place where something is deposited for safekeeping or for sale. The term looseleaf-type paper used herein and in the appended claims is intended to include paper which, when standing on edge in its normal position, is not selfsupporting and in no way is reinforced to be self-supporting. This would include files, records, documents, looseleaf sheets, dosiers, X-ray films, envelopes, filing envelopes, folders, etc.

Conventional depositories, such as a shelf type storage bin, is of generally rectilinear construction comprising one or more horizontal shelves and a plurality of vertical dividers which are spaced apart and supported between the horizontal shelves. The depository may be provided with doors where desired, or the depository may be a drawer-type which slides or pulls out from a stationary or fixed cabinet. A number of looseleaf-type papers such as records, documents and the like are filed in the depository between the vertical dividers in a substantially vertical position on one edge thereof and generally on the short side of the paper. Because the papers are not selfsupporting, they bend or buckle occupying more space than necessary and become difficult to remove and refile which ultimately may result in damage to the papers.

This invention has as its principal object to provide a depository which overcomes the disadvantages of depositories of prior art construction.

It is another object of the invention to provide a depository wherein looseleaf-type papers may be filed which, upon filing, do not bend or buckle and thus eliminates wasted or unused space thereby permitting more documents to be filed in the same space than normally permitted with prior art depositories.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a depository for looseleaf-type papers which facilitate removal and refiling of the papers in the depository.

In accordance with the subject invention a plurality of spaced horizontal shelf members are provided with a pluralitv of vertical arcuate dividers spaced between the horizontal shelf members. The outer or front edge of the dividers presents a substantially straight and vertical configuration so that one edge of an X-ray film may be inserted without first being bent or folded and will assume a curved shape as it is advanced between the arcuate dividers.

These. together with other objects and advantages of the invention. may best be understood by referring t the detailed specification and the several embodiments therein, and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a section of a conventional depository of prior art'construction;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing a section of a depository constructed in accordance with the invention showing a large number of documents in the depository;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the invention showing a section of the depository having no documents filed therein;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the depository of FIG- URES 2 and 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the invention for use in a file cabinet drawer; and

FIGURE 6 is a further modification of a depository falling within the scope of the invention.

There is shown in FIGURE 1 a section of a storage bin depository, indicated generally by the numeral 10, of conventional construction used for filing looseleaf-type papers or documents. The storage bin comprises vertical wall members 12 and one or more horizontal shelves 14. A plurality of spaced, parallel vertical dividers 16 are supported between the horizontal shelves whereby the bin is divided into a number of sections. The documents or records, indicated generally at 18, are filed in the sections of the storage bin in a vertical position on one edge thereof and generally on the short side of the paper, the vertical dividers serving as a support for the end of the row of documents. It will be observed, that the documents readily bend or buckle thereby occupying more space than necessary. Furthermore, when the files are in this condition, it becomes difficult to remove a document or to refile a document in its proper place. As a consequence, the documents get ruffled, torn or otherwise damaged or destroyed. This disadvantage possibly can be overcome by providing extremely narrow sections in the stora e bin whereby the dividers are closely spaced, and 'by filling the section with enough documents so they fit snugly, but this virtually destroys the utility of the depository.

The depository made in accordance with my invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Reference is now had to FIGURES 2 through 4 which show a preferred construction of a depository made in accordance with my invention. There is shown a section of the depository indicated generally by the numeral 20, and including horizontal shelves 24 adaptable for depositing for safekeeping looseleaf-type papers. At least two arcuate, spaced apart dividers 26 are supported in an upright position between shelves 24. The dividers are vertically arcuate, preferably have the arc of a circle, and substantially parallel, and are disposed desirably at regular intervals along the shelves of the depository such that the apexes of each divider all lie to the same side. When a record or document is filed in the depository in a vertical position on one edge thereof between the arcuate dividers, the document assumes a substantially vertical curvilinear configuration and therefore is supported by its own weight. As a consequence bending or buckling of the documents is avoided. All the storage space in the bin is utilized as can be seen from the drawing, and because each document is in a relatively firm and upright position, removal and refiling of the document is facilitated.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the use of our improved depository for use in a conventional filing cabinet drawer which is slidably inserted in a stationary frame or cabinet. There is shown a cabinet drawer of conventional structure having a vertical front wall 32 and side walls 34, which is slidably mounted for removal from the cabinet. At least two arcuate spaced apart dividers 36 are supported at a substantially upright position between the side wall members 34 of the drawer 30. Where desired, one or more of the arcuate dividers may be adjustably mounted within 3 the drawer whereby the distance between the dividers may be varied depending upon the amount of papers to be filed in the drawer.

According to the modification shown in FIGURE 6, the marginal edges of divider 38 extend beyond the apex of the next adjacent arcuate divider 40. By reason of this construction, when a document is inserted into the depository between the arcuate dividers 38 and 40 the document will engage the outer contour of the apex of divider 40 and immediately assume the desired vertical curve such that the document can support its own weight. As additional documents are added to the file, these will also assume the curvilinear configuration and remain in a substantially firm and upright position.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations will be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A shelf for maintaining X-ray films in a substantially straight vertical position in said shelf, said shelf comprising:

at least two spaced horizontal shelf members each having a front edge and a rear edge;

at least two parallelly spaced vertical dividers located between said horizontal members, said dividers having a substantially straight first vertical edge adjacent said front edge, a substantially straight second vertical edge adjacent said rear edge, said first vertical edge and said second vertical edge defining an arcuate surface having an apex therebetween. 2. A shelf for maintaining X-rays as described in claim 1 wherein the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge of said dividers extend beyond the apex of the adjacent dividers.

3. The shelf for maintaining X-ray film as described in claim 1 wherein said dividers are configurous to the hori- Zontal shelf members.

15 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,112,028 3/1938 Kirby 21145 20 2,248,396 7/1941 Terry 129-16 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,180,907 11/1964 Germany.

25 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,365,067 January 23, 1968 George A. Miller et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Column 1, line 69, for "invention." read invention, column 4, line 12, for "film" read films line 13, for "conflgurous" read H contiguous Signed and sealed this 18th day of March 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer 

